Santa Anita Pick 6 – Jan 31st

Sunday’s pick six from Santa Anita Park includes the Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap. Free Flying Soul is the 5-2 morning line favorite, and the horse for course looms the target in the seven furlong feature. Mostly sunny skies are expected with a high temperature of 67. My suggested tickets can be found at the bottom of this post following analysis.

Pick 6 blog has been growing in popularity on a daily basis, and I would like to thank everyone for making this site a success. I will continue to feature the Southern California Pick 6, along with select carryovers from across the country.

Degree of Difficulty: Moderate. On a scale of 1 to 10, the Sunday pick six from Santa Anita rates a 5.

Possible Singles: Underground (7^th race), Proviso (8^th race), Warrens Royal Lady (9^th race)

Jarrod Horak’s Santa Anita Pick 6 analysis – Sunday, January 31, 2010

Santa Anita Race 4 (Clm-32k, f&m 4up, 8T) #8 Madeline Ruby (3-1) drops to lowest level and returns to turf. Rosario sticks, and place finisher from last (Pretty Unusual) won a graded affair on Jan 17^th and was 3^rd in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf yesterday. Bejarano sticks with #3 Wood Art (9-2), and she’s been part of exacta in last three. I like this low profile barn.

Santa Anita Race 5 (Alw-1x, f&m 4up, 8f) #5 Asanti (4-1) comes out of the same Pretty Unusual optional claiming affair as 4^th race contender Madeline Ruby. She has been part of trifecta in all nine outings, and I love her running style versatility. #7 Fund Raiser (5-2) fired in all 4 sprint tries, and she looked good in local maiden win last time. Tries a route for 38% Gomez/Baffert team. #8 Eloquently (3-1) romped in lone synthetic try, and the returnee is working well for Sadler. #4 Devine Actress (7-2) has been part of exacta in all 3 turf outings. Quality mare figures in the mix if she handles this footing.

Santa Anita Race 6 (Clm-32k, 4up, 10T) Not much pace in the paper race, and #1 Uffizi (5-2) should be part of expected tepid fractions under Chantal Sutherland. Sharp gelding dueled and finished a close 3^rd behind today’s fav #4 Yodelen Dan (7-5) last time. The rail-sitter likes this course/distance, and the aforementioned fav has won 6 of his last 8 and is an obvious stretch threat. #7 Cavanal (3-1) is not big on winning, but he typically fires and must be considered. Reunites with Bejarano, and this distance might be more to his liking.

Santa Anita Race 7 (OC-40/1x, f&m 4up, 6.5f) #4 Underground (5-2) set the pace and held the place off the shelf here last out. Big work since last, and she figures tough to overhaul for the 33% Garcia/Baffert team. #7 Manhattan Beach (3-1) showed quality in her US bow, but that was more than six months ago. Mitchell a profitable 24% with this type of returnee, and Gomez rides back. Lightly raced 5yo turf sprint specialist tries synthetic.

Santa Anita Race 8 (Grade 1 Santa Monica Hcp, f&m 4up, 7f) #7 Proviso (7-2) might prove too classy for these. She earned triple digit speed ratings in both graded route starts in this country, and note that she scored on the weeds at this distance in France. Working well for this and could easily roll on by under Bejarano. #6 Free Flying Soul (5-2) loves this oval, but seven panels might be pushing the envelope. Rates a chance if the pace is on the moderate side.

Santa Anita Race 9 (Mcl-32k, 3yo fil, 6.5f) #5 Warrens Royal Lady (5-1) broke slow and closed in local 5.5f bow, and she dueled and weakened in an extended sprint last time. Rider upgrade to Rosario. #9 Utaron (5-1) is a fresh 2^nd timer from the recently hot Cerin barn. #3 Melbisha (7-2) is racing into shape, and based on trainer stats, she figures to fire her best shot 3^rd off the shelf. Gomez strings along.

Sunday Pick 6 Tickets

Budget Play:  $2 Pick Six  3-8/4-5-7-8/1-4-7/4/6-7/5 ($96)

The Big Ticket:  $2 Pick Six  3-8/4-5-7-8/1-4-7/4-7/7/3-5-9 ($288)

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